To enhance efficiency and accessibility, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India has introduced modifications to the passport application process, notably eliminating the mandatory requirement for a birth certificate. As of December 2016, citizens born on or after January 26, 1989, can apply for a passport using alternative documents to prove their identity and date of birth.
Alternative Documents For Passport Application
Government Register Of Deaths And Births: The Registration of Births and Deaths Act of 1969 allows a designated body to issue a birth certificate, meeting the passport application requirements.
Certificate Of Graduation, Transfer, Or School Leaving: Applicants can submit certificates such as enrollment, college/university transfer, or school leaving certificates, provided they include the applicant’s date of birth.
E-Aadhaar/Aadhar Card: Aadhaar, with its biometric and demographic data, is now accepted as proof of date of birth, streamlining the passport application process. Possessing an Aadhaar can expedite the application.
Permanent Account Number (PAN)-Equipped Card: The PAN card, issued by the Income Tax Department and containing the applicant’s date of birth, is now a valid alternative for passport application.
Service History: Government employees, including retirees, can use a copy of a pay pension order or an extract from their service record, duly attested or certified by the relevant authority, to meet the proof of date of birth requirement.
Voter Identification Card: The Election Picture Identity Card (EPIC), issued by the Election Commission of India, is acceptable if it displays the applicant’s date of birth.
Drivers Licence (DL): A valid driver’s license with the date of birth issued by the Transport Department or Authority of the State Government is now recognised as a valid document for the passport application process.
Bond For Policy: If the policy bond contains the required information, policyholders can use Public Life Insurance Corporations’ or Companies’ Policy Bonds as proof of date of birth.
Passport Application Process Simplified
Whether renewing an expired passport or applying for a new one, applicants can choose from various designated documents to fulfil the passport application requirements. It is worth noting that having international travel insurance can be beneficial in unforeseen circumstances, such as lost or missing passports.
Travel Insurance
Insurance providers offer affordable online travel insurance policies with various benefits, including flight cancellation insurance. Comparing different travel insurance options ensures applicants choose the policy that suits their needs.
The Indian government’s initiative to accept alternative documents for passport applications without the compulsion of a birth certificate has significantly simplified and liberalised the process. Citizens can now choose from various official documents to prove their identity and date of birth, making the passport application process more accessible and streamlined.
Whether reapplying for a new passport or an expired one, applicants may use any of the designated documents to finish the passport application process. A travel insurance policy is always beneficial in case of lost or missing passports! The ideal way to buy one is to compare various international travel insurance policies and select the right option!
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